Help and FAQs

We’re an insurance broker. We compare life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection from a panel of UK insurers and help you choose. We don’t insure you ourselves: your policy is with the insurer you pick. Croaked is a trading style of Believe Protect Ltd.

No. If you take out a policy we recommend, the insurer pays us a commission. It doesn’t add a separate fee to your premium.

No. You can do the whole thing online, and we never make sales calls. If you’d like to talk it through, call us and a person will answer.

Yes. Believe Protect Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Believe Advisor Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 841395).

Life insurance pays out if you die during the policy. Critical illness cover pays out if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses the policy lists, such as some cancers, heart attacks and strokes. You can have either, or both together.

Enough to cover what the money would need to handle: your mortgage or rent, debts, childcare, and the household bills for as long as your family would need help. We’ll help you work it out; the decision stays yours.

Usually until the thing it protects ends: when your mortgage is paid off, or when your youngest child is grown up. The longer the term, the more it costs each month.

Level cover pays the same amount whenever you claim, which suits a family’s living costs or an interest-only mortgage. Decreasing cover pays less over time, in step with a repayment mortgage, and costs less.

Yes. A joint policy covers you both and usually pays out once, on the first death. Two separate policies cost a little more, but can pay out twice.

About you (your age, job and whether you smoke), your health and your family’s medical history, and the cover you want. It takes a few minutes.

Yes, and it matters. Answer every question honestly and fully. If something is left out, the insurer could pay less or refuse a claim, just when your family needs it.

Most people don’t. Sometimes an insurer asks your doctor for a report, or for a short check-up with a nurse. If they do, they pay for it.

Yes, but it costs more. Most insurers treat vaping and nicotine replacement the same as smoking. You usually count as a non-smoker once you’ve had no nicotine for 12 months.

Often, yes. Many conditions are covered at a normal price; some cost more, or aren’t covered by that policy. Different insurers see the same condition differently, which is why we compare them.

It depends on your age, your health, whether you smoke, how much cover you want and for how long. The younger and healthier you are when you start, the less it costs.

Usually monthly, by Direct Debit, straight to your insurer.

With guaranteed premiums, no: you pay the same for the whole policy. With reviewable premiums, the insurer can change them. Guaranteed is usually the safer choice.

Your insurer will get in touch, and usually gives you time to catch up. If payments stop for good, the cover ends. If money is tight, talk to your insurer before you cancel.

Contact the insurer: their claims number is on the policy documents. If you can’t find them, call us and we’ll help you find the policy and the right people to speak to.

The policy number and the claim form. For a life insurance claim, a death certificate; for critical illness, the doctors’ reports about the diagnosis.

Whoever you’ve named. If the policy is in trust, the money goes straight to the people you chose. If not, it usually goes into your estate and waits for probate.

Usually it’s worth it. A trust can get the money to your family quicker, without waiting for probate, and can keep it out of your estate for Inheritance Tax. Most insurers set one up for free.

Yes. You have 30 days after your policy starts to cancel for a full refund of anything you’ve paid.

Yes, at any time, by telling your insurer. Most term policies have no cash value, so you won’t get money back, and your cover stops.

Some policies let you increase your cover without new health questions after a big life event, such as getting married, having a baby or moving house. Otherwise, you may need a new policy.

Term cover simply stops at the end of the term. Nothing is paid out and nothing is refunded; it did its job of protecting you while it ran.